The Osun State Police Command has debunked claims circulating online that some of its officers fled after allegedly encountering an unverified drone.
The command described the claim as misleading, explaining that the footage was taken from a Yoruba film production titled ‘Omine fun Omine Part 2’.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Ojelabi explained that the film was shot in May, with a police patrol vehicle featuring in one of the scenes.
According to him, a bystander who was not part of the film crew recorded the scene and subsequently misrepresented it as footage of police officers fleeing from a drone.
“The command rejects any narrative that serving officers ran away from a drone,” Ojelabi said.
He described the claim as misleading and harmful to the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Investigative journalism requires verification before a clip is given a national or international frame.
“Publishing out-of-context footage and attaching a false explanation is not a minor error when it is used to ridicule a security institution,” he said.
Ojelabi said the command would not tolerate attempts to tarnish the reputation of the police through misleading footage or inaccurate captions.
He called on Arise News and other platforms that had circulated the material to withdraw the false caption attached to the video.
The police spokesperson also urged media organisations to refrain from presenting staged scenes or unverified footage as evidence of police cowardice or misconduct.
“The command remains committed to lawful, professional policing in Osun State and will continue to protect lives and property,” he said.
Ojelabi added that the command remained willing to engage with factual reporting but would oppose any deliberate distortion of images, videos or reports.
“We would not accept deliberate distortion of images, videos, or any media report to drag the command through the mud,” he added.